Summer 2027 Systems Test Engineer

Our paid Summer Internship Program is designed to provide students with an immersive, hands-on experience within the aerospace and defense industry. Interns work alongside AV team members on meaningful projects involving cutting-edge technology while developing professional relationships, strategic problem-solving skills, and practical experience in a full-time work environment.

This is a 12-week, onsite program intended for highly motivated and passionate students who are currently enrolled in college or are recent graduates. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA, with a preference for students at the junior level or above.

Our program has been recognized by Yello and WayUp as one of the Top 100 Internship Programs in the United States for multiple years.

Depending on the team and location, students who are willing to relocate for their internship may be eligible for a relocation and housing reimbursement stipend.

AV offers internship opportunities across various teams and locations throughout the United States. Specific team, location, and program details will be discussed during the interview process.

The Test Equipment Engineering Intern assists in the design, development, and implementation of cost-effective methods for testing and troubleshooting systems and equipment throughout various phases of product development and manufacturing. In this role, the intern supports the integration and testing of unmanned aircraft systems and payloads.

Position Responsibilities

• Assist in the design, development, deployment, troubleshooting, and upgrading of test equipment used for testing PCBAs, sub-systems, and AV systems during production.
• Support the design and development of C# / OOP software using the Visual Studio IDE.
• Assist in developing test software programs in C#.
• Collaborate with team members to develop test plans, gather requirements/specifications, and create test strategies.
• Analyze, process, and format test results following standard practices and procedures.
• Work toward meeting project deliverables and timelines in a fast-paced engineering environment.
• Support cross-functional teams across multiple engineering disciplines.
• Provide feedback to product design teams regarding design testability.
• Assist in developing test cases for power conversion devices, motor control systems, and avionics components from early design stages through final testing.
• Execute functional and performance tests on avionics power and propulsion components under supervision.
• Learn and apply professional engineering concepts and AV procedures to resolve routine issues.
• Work on problems of limited scope while receiving detailed instructions and mentorship.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Currently pursuing a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering, or a related field.
• 0-2 years of relevant academic or project experience in test development, lab environments, or manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with writing bug reports and root-cause analysis (academic or project-based experience acceptable).
• Exposure to Object-Oriented Programming (C# or LabVIEW experience a plus).
• Basic understanding of debugging and troubleshooting processes.
• Ability to estimate cost or development time based on project requirements (coursework or project experience acceptable).
• General knowledge of mechanical/electrical design principles, material properties, and test instrumentation.
• Basic understanding of writing and executing test specifications.
• Awareness of manual and automated testing methodologies across product development stages.

Other Preferred Qualifications

• Interest or experience in Radio Frequency (RF), automation, production testing, or general test engineering.
• Strong problem-solving, critical-thinking, and communication skills.
• Ability to follow detailed instructions and work effectively in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrates initiative, accountability, and willingness to learn.
• Commitment to teamwork and supporting shared goals.

Physical Demands

• Ability to work in both office and manufacturing environments.
• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods.
• Ability to talk, hear, and use hands for computer and equipment operation.
• Ability to lift up to 20 lbs. and carry objects of varying sizes (occasional).

Based in California, AeroVironment (AVAV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Founded in 1971 by celebrated physicist and engineer, Dr. Paul MacCready, we’ve been at the leading edge of technical innovation for more than 45 years. Be a part of the team that developed the world’s most widely used military drones and created the first submarine-launched reconnaissance drone, and has seven innovative vehicles that are part of the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection in Washington, DC.

Join us today in developing the next generation of small UAS and tactical missile systems that will deliver more actionable intelligence to our customers so they can proceed with certainty - and succeed.

What We Do

Building on a history of technological innovation, AeroVironment designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company’s hand-launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition., We don’t just build defense technology-we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve.

Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian-but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next.

If you’re ready to build technology that matters-with speed, scale, and purpose-there’s no better place to do it than AV.

Careers at AeroVironment (https://www.avinc.com/careers/our-team)